West Midlands Police Champion Bus Seat Stickers for Public Safety
A West Midlands Police education officer is championing a straightforward initiative to enhance safety on public transport across the region. Paula Shortland, who serves as a Violence Against Women and Girls champion for the Safer Travel Partnership, has voiced strong support for placing informational stickers on the back of every seat on buses and other public vehicles.
An Easy Solution to Raise Awareness
In discussions with BirminghamLive, Shortland emphasized that this measure represents an "easy solution" to a pressing issue. The proposed stickers would feature key contact numbers, such as the SeeSay 81018 line for reporting anti-social behavior on buses, and references to Project Empower, an initiative focused on tackling violence against women and girls, safeguarding, and community safety.
"It’s such an easy thing to do," Shortland stated, highlighting past attempts to implement this idea. She noted that bus companies have previously resisted, citing concerns over franchising processes and the arrival of new vehicles. "We tried to do that on buses, but the bus companies were like, 'You’re not putting stickers on the back of the chairs. We're going through franchising. We'll have new buses.'"
Overcoming Resistance from Operators
Shortland explained that some bus operators have been hesitant to adopt awareness stickers, fearing they might alarm passengers or cause unnecessary anxiety. However, she firmly believes these stickers are a "great idea" that could significantly improve public safety. "I don't know why they can't do that. It's an easy solution, isn't it? Put a sticker on the back [of seats]," she remarked.
The vision involves alternating stickers on seats—one for Project Empower and another for the SeeSay number—ensuring that every other seat provides vital information. This approach aims to make reporting incidents more accessible and encourage a safer travel environment.
Future Prospects with Franchising Changes
Looking ahead, Shortland expressed optimism about the potential impact of upcoming franchising arrangements for bus services in the West Midlands. With a new mayor expected to oversee these changes, she anticipates greater influence over bus policies. "I think when the franchising goes ahead with a new mayor, we will have more say in what we can do," she said, pointing out the current complexity of dealing with numerous bus companies beyond just National Express.
"So when the franchising goes ahead, we get to have a say in what goes on the bus, and we can do that," she added, suggesting that this could pave the way for widespread implementation of the sticker initiative.
Collaborative Efforts for Safer Travel
The Safer Travel Partnership, which includes West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, Transport for West Midlands, and local bus operators, plays a crucial role in these efforts. Shortland's work as an education officer and VAWG champion underscores the collaborative approach needed to address safety concerns on public transport.
By advocating for simple, visible reminders like stickers, the partnership aims to empower passengers to report issues promptly, ultimately fostering a more secure and responsive transit system for all commuters in the region.
